_:nf1e097f86e52464e99175bfa6eba73f5xb1
<http://schema.org/description>
"The sgraffito technique was used by the Pennsylvania German potters, in the 1700s through the 1800s, to create elaborate designs on their pottery.  Thick red earthenware is covered with a thin layer of white earthenware slip (liquid clay) by painting the slip on.  Then a sharp tool (a needle, nail, sharp stick and more), is used to scratch through the slip to reveal the red clay beneath, creating the design.\n\n\n\nTo prepare the ornament for decorating first the red earthenware was rolled flat to about 1/4\" thickness, then the circle was cut out of the clay with a handcrafted tin cookie cutter; and a hole was made with a skinny straw for the ribbon.  The circles were dried flat between sheets of drywall and newspaper for a few hours - just until they were not too wet and not too dry. Then the circles were given a concave shape using a mold.  The circles now look more like a little dish.  They are left to dry overnight until they were stiff - trying to bend them now they will just crack in half.  The little dishes are cleaned with water and a sponge to smooth the front, back and sides.  Then the white slip is applied with a brush - 4-5 coats make a nice surface for my designs. Drawing the design on first with a very soft charcoal pencil gives me a place to begin.  Now we can sgraffito the design."
<https://www.wilzpottery.com/videos-and-publications>